$53.7 Million in Disaster Community Loans Approved for 12 Municipalities

Release date:

April 7, 2018

Release Number:

151

GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico – FEMA Administrator Brock Long and Gov. Ricardo Rosselló announced today that more than $53 million in low-interest Community Disaster Loans are approved for 12 municipalities.

The funds will be used to assist these communities with providing necessary services and perform essential municipal functions as they recover from the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and María.

"The municipalities were the first line of response for citizens after the emergency caused by hurricanes Irma and Maria. The municipal coffers suffered an incredible impact due to unforeseen expenses caused by the emergency and the closure of businesses devastated by the passage of these atmospheric phenomenons,” said Gov. Rosselló. “I am glad that after Congress appropriated this money in October 2017, we can announce with FEMA that there are 12 municipalities that will be benefiting at this stage from the Community Disaster Loans and there are 65 other applications in process. This funding will help our local governments stabilize their operations and continue serving the American citizens living in Puerto Rico."

On Oct. 26, 2017, President Trump signed supplemental appropriations funding permitting the transfer of up to $4.6 billion to FEMA’s Community Disaster Loan Program. The loans help local governments continue to provide essential operating services after a major disaster.

The municipalities that will benefit from the Community Disaster Loan Program are: Bayamon, Caguas, Humacao, Juncos, Ponce, Río Grande, Sábana Grande, Salinas, San Lorenzo, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto and Yabucoa. Another 65 municipalities are in different stages of the application process.